dentition

noun

den·​ti·​tion den-ˈti-shən 

1

: the development and cutting of teeth

2

: the character of a set of teeth especially with regard to their number, kind, and arrangement see tooth illustration

3

: teeth

Examples of dentition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The human becomes a palimpsest of all sorts of contemporary events and psychological possibilities: the soldier blown apart by mortar shells, the worker alienated from his own limbs, the man fearful of a woman’s dentition, the brain replaced by an electrical device. —Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026

Unlike modern crocodiles, which lie in wait to grab and drown their pray, this beast possessed the kind of build and the dentition for tackling animals head-on and tearing through hide and flesh. —New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025

Another reason people are turned away is because of poor dentition. —Hedy Phillips, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025

In fact, due to their unique dentition, aardwolves have entirely lost the ability to chew meat. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin dentition-, dentitio, from dentire to cut teeth, from dent-, dens

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dentition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dismission

Kids Definition

dentition

noun

den·​ti·​tion den-ˈtish-ən 

: the number, kind, and arrangement of teeth (as of a person or animal)

Medical Definition

dentition

noun

den·​ti·​tion den-ˈtish-ən 

1

: the development and cutting of teeth

2

: the character of a set of teeth especially with regard to their number, kind, and arrangement

3

: teeth